5/8/10

5-1 from: - link - JaCoby Jones, SS, Richton High School, Richton, Mississippi - Another toolsy athlete from the deep South, Jones has a Louisiana State scholarship in his back pocket. Very athletic at 6-3, 195, Jones has a very promising bat that should produce batting average and at least average power as he moves up. He has the range for shortstop but perhaps not the arm strength; there's some chance he could end up at second base or left field. Jones has been on the margins of the first round of various mocks, but is probably more of a supplemental round choice.

Corey Dickerson:

5-3 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/3/1455597/casing-the-states-mississippi#storyjump - Corey Dickerson, OF, Meridian CC - The lone junior college player from Mississippi on this list, Dickerson has been well-known in the state for a few years. A graduate of Brookhaven Academy in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Dickerson went undrafted out of high school, but then turned in one of the most productive freshman years in school history for Meridian, leading him to get drafted in the 29th round by the Rockies a year ago. He ended up being the only Colorado draftee from the first and second days of the draft that didn't sign. Instead, he returned to school, and he's simply dominating his competition this year, leading him to start climbing draft boards. His tools are solid across the board, and he offers some of the best offensive upside from a junior college bat this year. He features an above-average hit tool and above-average raw power, and he combines that with average speed. Add in a solid-average arm and you have yourself a prototypical right fielder for size, strength, and tools. Scouts generally like his left-handed swing, and even though he's committed to Mississippi State, most think he's signable if he's picked early enough in the second day of the draft. Projected Draft Range: 5th-10th Round

Stephen Yarrow:

5-6 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/06/stephen-yarrow-update/#more-5913 - 3B Stephen Yarrow has all the hallmarks of a late bloomer, physically growing into a lean and lanky 6-4 frame. Because of this, he might not look like the prettiest or most graceful overall athlete, but that all goes away when he swings the bat. He has plus, plus left-handed bat speed, a quick trigger, drops the bat head and he lifts the ball consistently. This is what you want for a player like this, because no other tool will be so extraordinary. Offensively, Yarrow reminds me some of former Loyola Marymount first baseman Ryan Wheeler. Both are tall left-handed hitters with bat speed and the ability to lift the ball. I’m sure that Yarrow, like Wheeler at various points in his career, has been dismissed out of hand. Based on the swings I saw, I believe that would be a mistake. I believe Wheeler is the better overall hitter, but Yarrow’s raw power to all fields would be superior at the same stage of his career.

Brandon Brennan:

5-7 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft - In my first look at Capistrano Valley right-hander Brandon Brennan since the Academy workout in February, the promising starter showed a touch more power. In this outing, Brennan was 89-91 in the early innings and began popping a few more 92s in the middle innings. His main weapon will be his two-seam fastball, which shows the first signs of having heavy, late life low in the strike zone. This will depend on factors such as body conditioning and core strength, which will help his balance continue to improve, helping his coordination and balance, in turn helping him get on top and more downhill plane, all of which will make his fastball as effective a weapon as it can possibly be.

Kevan Smith:

5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/ - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 30. Pittsburgh JR C Kevan Smith -The former Panthers quarterback is a plus athlete with a strong arm who is still understandably raw in some phases of the game. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school who was at one point seen as a potential top five round pick, but was downgraded because of his strong commitment to the gridiron. There’s already some speculation that he’ll stick around for his senior year to further showcase his skills.